Antislip rubber heel



NOV. 3, 1931. 1 MURPHY 1,829,941

ANTISLIP RUBBER HEEL Filed Dec. 28, 192'7 lll x/g .MLN H E gwvamto da/7 Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN J. MURPHY, oF CINCINNATI, oHIo ANTIsLIP RUBBEnj HEEL;

Appncation mea December 2s, 1927.k Seriana-13.147.

'- nection with heels.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view of an antislip rubber heel ofthe invention.

Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig.l 2 but showing an ice Creeper of the invention operativelv associated with the heel.

Fig. l is a perspective view of the detachable ice Creeper of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross sec-tional view on line 5--5 of Fig. 4. Y

The heel of this invention is formed by providing a rubber heel 9 with narrow transverse slots 10 extending from the bottom 11 of the heel upwardly to a depth usuallyv determined by the location of the usual embedded metallic washers 12. In the preferred form the heel is preferably saw-slotted so that the slots 10 are narrow and relatively deep and are so spaced as to present on the bottom of the heel a plurality of transverse bars 13 closely spaced, but adapted to yield either forwardly or rearwardly of the foot of the wearer. The upper body portion of the heel is adapted to be fixed securely and non-yieldably to the usual leather heel, (not shown) of a shoe by means of nails or screws passing through the metal washers 12. In use the joint action of the non-yielding portion 14 and the Hexible and resilient bars 13 provide a surprisingly soft, velvety or pneumatic sensation to the wearer,y an effect which.

iscomfortable to the footand very restful tothe wearer. Any of the bars 13 may yield orl slightly flex toward* or away from an adjacent bar under the impact ofthe weight of the user. rlhis results in a gripping action of the bottomor wearing face of the bars vwhich eectively prevent slipping upon a smooth slippery surface such as wet metal, stone or the like.

The `relative movement of the bars 13 contrary to possible expectation, does not per-' mit of the accumulation of compacted dirt in the narrow slots 10. It has been found in practice' that these slots remain substantially freeof accumulated matter.'

y 4In order to adapt the heel of the invention to the use of those who, because of infirmity or fear, resort to ice Creepers in the `winter season,A there is provided in the body 14 a transverse bore 15 which communicates along one side with one ofthe slotsl. A removuable ice Creeper is formed by providing a metallic blade 16 embedded in or formed integrally with a rod l17. The rod is of a diameter such that it fits snugly` in the bore 15 and the blade is of a thickness substantially equal to the width of one ofthe slots 10. The blade extends radially of the longitudinal axis of the rod and is of a width slightly in excess Vof the depth of the slot so that it may protrude beyond the bottom face of the heel. A suitable knob 18, provided in the present embodiment by a short bent portion on the rod, provides handle means which closely hugs the side of the heel and obviates the possibility of becoming an impedient to walking or a means upon which wearing apparel might become caught. A slight extension 19 on the opposite end of the rod protrudes just enough beyond the opposite side of the body of the heel to permit pressure thereon with the sole of the other shoe, or with the finger, or with a suitable implement whereby to dislodge the knob 18 sufficiently to permit grasping with the fingers to remove the ice creeper 9 from the heel.

The ice creepers are much smaller than the heretofore used kindred device and may be .applied and removed in a moment of time without difficulty.

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What is claimed is:

l. In a device of the class described the combination of a heel having a transverse bore through the body thereof and a restricted slot communicating With the bore and opening onto the bottom face of the heel, and a removable ice creeper comprising a rod and an integral blade extending radially therefrom, the rod and blade slidably positioned in the bore and slot respectively for retaining` the blade in an operative position projecting beyond the bottom of the heel.

2. In 4a device of the class described the combination of a rubber heel having narrow and Widely spaced transverse slots therein, a transverse bore through the heel communieating along one side With one of the slots, and a metallic ice Creeper removably inserted in said bore and its communicating slot.

3. Ina device of the class described the combination of afvheel having a transverse bore and a restricted communicating slot extending to the bottom face of the heel, an ice Creeper comprising a blade in the slot and rictionally retained therein, and means on one edge of the blade disposed in the bore to preclude accidental separation of the ice4 creeper and heel.

4. In adevice of the class described the combination with a heel having a transverse bore and a communicating slot extending radially of the bore, of a removable ice creeper comprising a. portion for entry into the bore, a blade adapted to extend throughv the slot and project beyond the bottom face of the heel, and means comprising a curved projection on the portion in the bore for removing the Creeper from the heel.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 22nd day of December,

JOHN J. MURPHY. 

